Are You Saved? Rom. 3:21-28, 4:1-2, 18-25 Oct. 02, 2005
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Introduction

I asked a person one time “are you saved” and got the reply “saved from what.” This is an important question for us to consider. Did you know John Wesley was born again due to someone asking him if he was saved? John was a minister in the Anglican Church but had never been converted. Every year while I attended seminary some students realized they needed salvation. The lesson of this week asks the question to all of us; are we certain we are saved? Do not be afraid to ask people about their salvation. It might mean eternal life for them.

1. Are You Saved? Enjoying the . . Righteousness of the Saved Life? 3:21?26

    A.    A . . Revealed Righteousness. 3:21-23
        21 But now, apart from the law, God's righteousness has been revealed attested by the Law and the Prophets 22 that is, God's
        righteousness through faith in Jesus Christ, to all who believe, since there is no distinction. 23 For all have sinned and fall short of
        the glory of God.

B. A . . Redeemed Righteousness. 3:24
24 They are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.

C. A . . Restrained Righteousness. 3:25-26
25 God presented Him as a propitiation through faith in His blood, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His restraint God passed over the sins previously committed. 26 He presented Him to demonstrate His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be righteous and declare righteous the one who has faith in Jesus.

Can you enjoy righteousness? Yes, when it is the righteousness given by the Lord, and revealed after you receive salvation. A revealed righteousness produces a surprise to the new Christian. Do you recall recognizing the righteousness God revealed to you when you were a new Christian? Some describe it as a feeling of peace or satisfaction. This righteousness is not worked up by man but given through Christ. When a person is saved he/she receives redeemed righteousness as the gift of God. How could God redeem us and pass over our sins? His grace allows Him to restrain Himself and grant righteousness. A saved person enjoys righteousness.

2. Are You Saved? Enjoying the . . Resignation of the Saved Life? 3:27?28, 4:1-2

A. The Resignation from Boasting In the . . Flesh. 3:27-28

27 Where then is boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? By one of works? No, on the contrary,

by a law of faith. 28 For we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from works of law.

B. The Resignation from Boasting In the . . Fathers. 4:1-2

1 What then can we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, has found? 2 If Abraham was justified by works,

then he has something to brag about but not before God.

As a saved person have you resigned from any boasting of the flesh? If you know anyone who brags about his/her works toward the benefits of salvation you really know an unsaved person. Since salvation comes through faith who can boast? What about bragging related to your forefathers? If anyone could brag the Jews could have bragged in Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. They did boast in these men but God says not even these patriarchs grant salvation to someone, but faith alone. Salvation does not come through your forefathers, but our text says Abraham’s justification came through faith. A person of faith can only brag about being saved through the plan of God.

3. Are You Saved? Enjoying the . . Resurrection of the Saved Life? 4:18?25

    A.    The . . Example of Resurrection. 4:18-22
            18 Against hope, with hope he believed, so that he became the father of many nations, according to what
            had been spoken: So will your descendants be. 19 He considered his own body to be already dead (since
            he was about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah's womb, without weakening in the faith.
            20 He did not waver in unbelief at God's promise, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to
            God,   21 because he was fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform.
            22 Therefore, it was credited to him for righteousness.

    B.    The . . Enlightenment of Resurrection. 4:18-22
            23 Now it was credited to him was not written for Abraham alone, 24 but also for us. It will be credited to us who believe in
            Him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. 25 He was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification.

Do you realize as a saved person you received the resurrection life from Christ? A sense of a new life comes through this realization. It is my opinion when people realize they have received the resurrected life they act with more confidence. The text shares with us the example of Abraham and Sarah when they received a child after the normal time for producing children. The birth of Isaac acts as a resurrection, and it happened through faith just like our salvation. The resurrection also enlightens us about justification as the resurrection of Christ resurrection guarantees the possibility of justification for all who receive salvation. So be sure and ask all the members of your class, Are You Saved? Amen? Amen!